The petition at Sewanee: The University of the South seeks to have the university remove an honorary degree bestowed upon Rose in May 2016.

Actions by other universities

Since the allegations were made public, Arizona State University, Duke University and the University of Kansas have revoked journalism awards given to Rose. Other colleges and universities have also considered rescinding awards or honors bestowed upon him.

The Bairnwick Women’s Center, a student-led organization dedicated to women's issues and gender equality at Sewanee, posted a message on its Facebook page earlier this month with a link to the petition saying that "sexual misconduct violates the EQB guidelines put forth by the university."

It was also reported on by the student newspaper, the Sewanee Purple, over the weekend.

"Students, faculty, staff, community members, and alumni must preserve the sanctity of the university motto, 'Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity,' and tell the Board of Regents and Vice Chancellor that we believe Charlie Rose's honorary degree must be revoked as soon as possible," the women's center said in its Facebook post.

The petition had 660 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon. Sewanee has a student population of about 1,700 undergraduates.

What does it take to revoke a degree?

“I think we need to be very careful and thoughtful before we start revoking honorary degrees," said Sewanee Vice-Chancellor John McCardell, in a statement issued to the student newspaper.

He said the university has a process for nominating, selecting and inviting honorary degree recipients that includes consideration by a board of regents and Faculty Senate committee not scheduled to meet again until February.

“Mr. Rose has received many honorary degrees from many institutions, including Duke and Georgetown,” McCardell said. “SUNY Oswego is considering what it might do. Not that we would be directed in our deliberations by what any particular institution might do, but it is worth noting that there has not been a rush, at least among private institutions, to start down the road of honorary degree revocation."

Laurie Saxton, a spokeswoman for Sewanee, said she was not aware of the university having ever revoked an honorary degree.

“We need to keep our institutional head about us, avoid what might appear to be mere posturing, and yet recognize, perhaps in other things we say and do, that sexual harassment in any form in any workplace is simply unacceptable," McCardell said.